Menu Plan Monday 3/21

Welcome to another week, and another menu plan, here at Frugal Upstate!

This week is filled with typical business for the Frugal Upstate family.  I’ve got meetings most days, Yankee Bill has several meetings at night.  The kids, as usual, seem to have better social lives than both the adults put together.  You know, the typical!

Here is specifically what I need to take into account this week:

1.  Three days this week I have meetings that will take up the middle part of the day.  One of those days I will spend the whole day out running errands before & after my meeting.  The other two I have a 1hr drive each way to make it to the meeting.   I don’t like to have complex dinners for those type of days-I’d rather have either super quick and simple or else crockpot meals.

2. Twice this week Yankee Bill won’t be home for dinner due to meetings and classes.  So that’s just the two kiddos and I to feed-so not as much food is needed.  Also one of those days is a day that I’ll be out all day with errands and meetings.

3.  I want to clean out the freezer in my side by side fridge.  Rummaging around in there I found some frozen chicken breasts, a package of turkey & gravy, and some frozen spaghetti meat sauce.

4.  My goal continues to be to work in a fish meal, a meatless meal and a venison meal.

Taking all that into account here is my game plan:

Monday: Pancakes

The kids love breakfast for dinner~my husband doesn’t.  That makes it a great meal for a night that he is not going to be with us for dinner.  It’s also pretty fast to whip up-which is good for a day I’m very busy, and even if I give everyone a slice or two of bacon with their pancakes, that’s almost more of a garnish than anything else-so I’ll consider it pretty much meatless.

Tuesday: Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo with Steamed Broccoli

It only takes a few minutes to whip up my Mock Alfredo sauce.  Cooking & adding in some of the chicken breasts (cooked & chunked of course) from the freezer will bring this meal together in a flash.  I’ll pair it with the open bag of frozen broccoli from the freezer as well.

Wednesday: Fish with a Green Salad

Walmart sent me a large selection of premade frozen fish meals that you bake in the microwave.  I’ve tried a couple of varieties, but there are still 3 or 4 left to try.  Since the review is due by the end of the week, I’ll use them for our supper and also get my fish meal for the week out of the way.  They each come with fish, a starch & sauce, so I’ll add the salad to round out the meal.

Thursday: Venison Meatloaf, Seasoned Oven Fries and Carrots

The venison meatloaf was another freezer find.  I’m tempted to keep it for an “emergency” dinner, but I’m likely to forget I have it.  It’s better to just use it up.  Also, since it’s venison it counts as my venison meal for the week.  The homemade seasoned oven fries are pretty easy to make-I just need to remember that they take almost an hour to cook.  The carrots are canned from the garden.

Friday: Crock-pot Lasagna with Garlic Bread and Italian Vegetables

I’ll be on the road Friday, so a crock pot meal is a must.  Since I can’t do pizza in the crock pot I’ll settle for an Italian inspired dish instead.  Crock pot Lasagna (recipe coming soon) is great for a night you want the taste of lasagna but don’t have the time in the schedule to assemble and bake it.  I’ll use the frozen meat sauce from the freezer to make it.

Saturday: Turkey and Gravy over Rice with Steamed Snow Peas

The turkey and gravy are another item from my freezer.  I’ll just warm it up in the microwave, cook a pot of rice in the rice cooker, and warm up some of the frozen snow peas from last spring to go on the side.  No matter how busy Saturday gets, I’ll still be able to get a hot, delicious meal on the table without having to spend all day in the kitchen.

Sunday: Sloppy Joes on Homemade Hamburger Rolls with Mixed Veggies

The last item I’m trying to use up from the freezer is a couple of cups of cooked TVP/Ground Beef mix.  Sloppy Joes haven’t been on the menu in quite a while and will taste great.  I’ll start the homemade hamburger rolls in the bread machine right after we get home from church and they will be done in plenty of time for the meal.  The mixed veggies will just be frozen from the store.

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Are you interested in learning more about menu planning? Check out my post “Why Plan a Weekly Menu” .

For more great menu plan ideas, head on over to Menu Plan Monday at the Organizing Junkie.